Thomas James Richards, Diaries, Transcript Vol. 4, 9 November 1916 - 31 May 1918 - Part 2

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The morning is foggy and each of the dozens and
dozens of flashes strike out on to the misty atmosphere in
flares of light not so vivid perhaps as vicious lightning,
but being right up against us as it is it dazzles a fellow
and amazes him with its novel picturesqueness and its wonderful
intensity and cheers him with the strange feeling of
satisfaction that Fritz is getting it hot and strong. These
bursts of rapid fire are probably barrages, and can be heard
over periods of 25 minutes at different times and in different
directions around our horse-shoe position during the day and
night. This burst of fire at this moment may be followed up
by our infantry in an attack, or maybe it is just a barrage
on the German trenches and over on to his communication ways
to get him relieving his men from the front line and bring up
fresh troops from behind. I would so much love to know what
it is but there is no way of finding out. Even the artillery
men don't know what they are firing at. They are given the
range by figures and set the guns but what for they don't
really know.
Again to-night an infantry chap swore that many of
our own shells fall behind and even into our own trenches
and wildly around.
The fire has now decreased to a shot every few
seconds and individual reports can now be heard after 15
minutes of nothing but a roar and rattle.
The day has been dull and passed away without any
special note.
Just the other day one of the farriers of the 2nd
Field Ambulance here in Longueval picked up an old 4-2 shell
and although the fellow left Australia with the first contingent,
he put that shell into the forge fire to cut away the
copper band for a souvenir, after failing with a hammer and
 

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chisel while cold. He turned away at the fan blowing the
fire up when there was a terrific explosion. The forge
was in fragments and strangely none of the four men around
were injured. There was a bit of the charge remaining.
November 14th.  Tuesday. Leave Longueval.
We have orders to be ready to leave here at 12.30
p.m. after spending 15 days in Longueval.
I have just returned from the prisoners' cage where
I found 19 young and well built Germans enclosed. There is
something strikingly interesting about these Germans, and
numbers of English and Australian troops stand about looking
at them and eager to get a few words of conversation with them.
Two of the party speak English a little but what they have had
to say, other than that, in reply to one of our officers, a
German said:- "Well! I thought we were winning the war up
to yesterday!!"
These Germans are very well dressed, long pants,
high top boots, jacket, round loose caps or steel helmets.
The colour of the uniform is a dark greenish grey and fits
them very well. Practical, thorough and all as the German
really is he cannot get away from show and decorative value
of a soldier's uniform, therefore he makes his cap pleasing
to the eye by a fairly broad band, 3/4 of an inch, of maroon
coloured braid. The jacket is faced with thin braid of the
same colour, while plain brass buttons set off the front.
There is, at the same time, three buttons on the false cuffs
and two lines of three brass buttons at the back to cover the
ungainliness of the roomy pleat which allows the person plenty
of room in the jacket to sit down while the waist band is
fairly tight. In front the jacket is long and square cut,
and covers up the front nicely. The pants all have roomy
side pockets instead of the cross pockets on our clothes.
 

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The whole effect is plain and yet pleasing to the eye.
There is something to admire about those Germans, they
move about or stand up with a composure that speaks
openly for their strong spirit and air of careless
independence. They address our men as "comrade" and
butt in for a cigarette or to have one lighted with all
the confidence, right to do so and earnestness of a man
amongst his most exclusive friends. They stroll about
jauntily with one or both hands deep into their side
pockets and set up posing attitudes when standing around.
They indeed seem unembarrassed by their captivity and all
apparently carefree and cool individuals.
Ever since this war started I have been greatly
worried by the non-existance of direction posts to guide
men in their movements from one part of the front to
another. Messages are often given to men in small and
even large parties to go to a given point. Maybe it is
the Battalion Headquarters, or an important Dump (everything
is a Dump on this front if goods or ammunition of any kind
or in any quantities are stored) and it is only with the
greatest difficulty and after much futile enquiring that
the place is found. I have even met despatch bearers lost,
and more important still, medical men and ammunition carriers
lose their bearings and cannot return to their posts.
All this confusion is due to the want of direction
posts. Sign posts giving names or numbers so that men,
particularly here in France, could get their bearings and
thereby do their duties more effectively and expeditiously.
Fatigue parties have been known to walk right over into the
German trenches and be taken prisoners owing to there being
no guiding marks along the communication trenches. "True,
the ways of the military folk are queer!!"
 

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I understand that our 2nd Division failed to
gain their objective last night in a "hop over" and lost
severely.
Two German planes hovered over our lines only a
few hundred feet high this afternoon. They were 1½ miles
into our territory when a cloud lifted and exposed them.
I fear they had lost their bearings in the low lying clouds
as they got away quickly back to their own side and did not
use their machine guns at all.
We started out at 4 o'clock and owing to the
usual breaks and stoppages we arrived at Becordel at 10 p.m.
having travelled only 3¾ miles.
We are now camped behind the original British and
German lines before the "Big Push".
November 15th.  Wednesday.
It was more than a surprise to get out of the
waggon this morning and view the surroundings. More than
a surprise, yes; it was almost startling to see around us
whole lines of big healthy trees towering 60 feet and more
into the air, and those devoid of foliage were without a
missing limb or branch, indeed trees intact and commanded
by Winter. Old Winter has had his sway here but up ahead
where we have been living for only 16 days, but living
closely and keenly to the surroundings, made me forget all
else in the whole world. For was this not our world, our
world to live hour by hour and look ahead not for a space
of minutes? German shells forbade anything of the kind,
and in living those 16 days amongst desolation with not a
tree out of thousands but what was mangled and broken, nor
was there a blade of grass for miles and miles around.
Therefore to suddenly wake up after a night's journey of a
few short miles and see unharmed and full limbed trees towering
 

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overhead and around with patches of short green grass
under foot and away as far as the mist allowed my vision
to penetrate, was indeed a grand and unusual sight.
Safely back again from the firing line midst natures own
effects. German and British shell fire has robbed hoary
old Winter of his labour. He has been frustrated and
baulked by the mad raving and the chemical compounds of man.
All day until 2 o'clock we were on the way to the
rest station and our present camp at Buire. There is something
light-hearted and exhilarating about coming away from
the firing line. Something of a thankfulness, something of
a charm, of glory and achievement.
I drew £3-4-6 at the pay office and had my first
glance at our new Colonel Williams who has taken the place
of a very good men, Colonel Shaw, and I hope he will make
a success of it and keep the spirit of the men intact by
not allowing or insisting upon the foolish ceremonial duties
that every Australian abhors and which made the men
disheartened and careless in their work.
The Germans have been dropping bombs around this
spot regularly of late. One night a bomb killed 6 and
wounded 20 men mostly patients. A remarkable thing also
was the fact that one morning two Germans were seen walking
carelessly about here, and later came and gave themselves up.
It appears that their machine had engine trouble and they
came down and gave themselves up.
November 16th.  Thursday.
Two lovely parcels from Mother to hand yesterday.
On going to bed I opened the most mystic looking one. The
customs label and stamps were torn off so that I could not
gleam the contents. I got a delightful surprise to find it
contained the most desirable articles possible, a sheepskin
coat with sleeves in it and a pair of good gloves, socks and
 

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soap. The round billy parcel I have not yet opened but
the label tells me its contents to be plum pudding cake
and cigarettes. It is risky to put dry cigarettes with
moist cake they may mildew.
K. Evans sent me a sheep skin vest which I was
thankful for but the new one is easily the best I have yet
seen and will be of great value in this country. Even
now the weather though dry is frosty and cold.
Well, great things have happened today. A change
has come about that has altered my military career materially.
Major Bamsden of our unit has recommended myself amongst four
others for a commission in the 1st Battalion. Following upon
his appointment I saw Colonel this morning at 11.30 a.m. He
asked me a number of questions which seemed to satisfy him
and then asked me if I thought I could command and lead a
body of men. My reply was:- "On condition that I knew my
subject, object and work, which I doubted without first having
some training". He checked me at once, stating that he,
himself, was there to judge that matter. This afternoon
three of us, Woollams, Dingle and myself were sent for to see
the Brigadier. Woollams was missing so Dingle and I went
down and saw General Smyth, who in few words of questioning
said that he would accept Colonel ---- recommendation and
hoped that I would be successful and rise to promotion rapidly.
Dingle was told very much the same thing.
So tonight matters stand greatly altered. Tomorrow
I go into Amiens and do some shopping before being called to
face the Battalion. I do not rejoice over the matter, it may
be honour, credit and all that sort of thing, but then my chance
comes only through the number of casualties and the demand there
is at present for officers. Anybody really can get one, many
fellows have succeeded in getting through by going forward and
asking, but I take a whole lot of satisfaction from the fact
 

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that I was sent for.
I know the danger of the undertaking full well.
11 officers were shot out of the 1st Battalion during their
few days in the trenches at Longueval, some wounded of course.
Out of 36 bombers only 6 now answer the roll call. Jim
Randel I hear was shot in the chest and is serious. I would
not have accepted the position only for the fact that I came
away to do the bidding of my country. I came to help in
any work that those above me saw fit to give me, and now I
graciously accept a position of grave danger, and in doing
so I have no fear but what I am doing the right thing, and
I hold no presentiments on the matter whatever as my motto
stands - "Whatever is, is best"
                                                                             Temperature:
November 17th.   Friday.  Day in Amiens.  Centigrade 6 points.
It was very bleak and cold at 7 a.m. I got to
Harry Dingle by 8 o'clock and by a big motor waggon we went
rumbling along the Albert-Amiens straight tree-lined road,
getting into the city before 11 a.m. A haircut and shave
and a good hot bath, 1 franc & ½, gave us a better appetite
for dinner than the best dinner we really could find. Very
disappointing indeed. It took us until 5 o'clock to shop.
I bought a cap, 20 francs; putties 15 francs; leather buttons
2 francs; cigarette case, metal, 2 francs½; soap box, tooth
brushes, tooth powder 9 francs. Dingle did more shopping
than I.
We had a gin and vermouth before looking out for
dinner, in the American Bar. The dining room was closed at
the Savoy (officers only). The Tommy traffic man, who never
had a square meal in his life (as his judgment proved)
directed us to a place. We wanted a full course dinner.
At 3 o'clock we went into a place and had a whole lobster
 

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between us with a small bottle of beer, and bread and butter;
14 francs. 4½ francs in London and Sydney. Later two
whiskeys cost 2½ francs and the waiter battled hard for his
tip. Now we can buy whiskey at 4 and 5 francs a bottle so
you can guess I felt hurt!! I bought 5 bottles of whiskey
for the fellows at Longueval. We visited some rather fine
cafes which were all full up with French soldiers and officers;
a few women were there, but very few indeed.
The Cathedral is a splendid monument. The architecture
 is very handsome but the building material is of poor
quality, and taking it all around I was very disappointed indeed.
We were home at 10 o'clock, left Amiens 8 p.m.
(23 kilos).
November 18th.  Saturday.
I slept in a canvas shake-down last night under the
shafts of a waggon. I thought I heard rain falling in the
early morning.
The previous night it was anti-aircraft guns and air
bombs falling that woke me up. This time it was a kind of
mysterious patter on the canvas, not rain quite but what else
could it be? When Winzar got out at 7.30 I found it was snow
that caused me to think during the darkness. Anyhow, thinks
I, snow and frost is, at any rate, better than rain and mud.
But alas, before 10 a.m. it commenced to rain and has been
raining on and off until now, 8 o'clock. This makes me swear
as I fear for wet feet, I will be getting lumbago again.
I half expected the 1st Battalion to send for me
today, not that I am over anxious or fretting in the slightest
about my new position. It will all work out well I am quite
certain. Some of the fellows say I'm a damn fool and all the
rest of it, as we all know how officers are cut up, but this
I can’t help. I've been called upon and willingly I go.
Never mind the outcome, if its only a wound I will get the best
 

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possible treatment. Oh, but it is nonsense to talk about
getting hit etc. As I have often said, "If there's a bullet
or a shell with my name and address on it, its no use dodging
it"
I have packed my kit up and although I have no
clothes or anything else much, I am ready to move into the
new position.
November 19th.  Sunday.
Mother's parcel is now opened and it is in excellent
condition; cake, plum pudding and sweets as well as a few
little pastries to fill up, and tooth brush and paste.
There is absolutely no indication of Sunday, no
church service at all, and mind we are miles back from the
firing line, in fact it is only when the wind comes over the
battle front that we can even hear the guns at all. Anyhow,
if there was a church service, would I go? If I did go, it
would be purely to break the monotony and to have the pleasure
of hearing an educated man string words together. Good
language is elevating music to my ears. I know today also,
that Dad is either at church or praying and reading his Bible
at home in the Transvaal. He, I know, will be thinking of me,
and also will Mother;after dinner I can see her lying on the
couch and thinking deeply, yea, even wildly of Bert and I.
Therefore, never a Sunday passes but what my mind drifts away
back home to Africa.
There has been a little rain today, but the cold is
not so severe, even if the wind is blowing a little strongly.
I went up on to the hill nearby in order to try and train my
voice and call out orders with effect and strength.
I went down to the canteen with Shergold and Dingle
this afternoon and bought a pipe,having lost the one Jim Miller
sent me, as I am beginning to crave a little for a smoke. This
I will have to suppress as I must not acquire such a habit or
 

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allow it to become a craving. I also bought 2 tins of
pineapple and had tea and biscuits.
We crossed the River Ancre, a branch of the Somme,
several times. As a river it is very misleading, it being
so narrow. 15 to 18 feet would span it anywhere. Even the
Somme River at Amiens is disappointingly small. Many of our
men were almost indignant concerning its small pretensions,
but when one comes to consider the depth of the river and the
loaded punts or boats it carries, its usefulness is beyond
doubt. Australian rivers and creeks are allowed to meander
along spreading over any shallow area and without any transportation
value, whereas here the banks of the river are brought
in and built firmly up so as to ensure a strong stream of water
even if the narrowing of the bed does necessitate the building
of a set of lock gates to hold the risen water back.
I have done no work today. I wanted to write a
story but cannot settle down. I want also to learn something
about company and rifle drill too, but books are difficult to
get. Never mind, I'll scramble through somehow as usual.
November 20th. Monday.
I washed some clothes and just knocked about absently
today. I find there are some 1,500 patients in the temporary
hospital here, mostly men with trench feet. I was told it
takes up to five weeks to cure a bad case of trench feet, but
they only remain here over night.
The hospital is entirely of tents, clear white square
tents without any attempt being made to disguise them by paint
splashes from the German airmen. This place was visited every
night for a long time and bombs dropped. One bomb killed 9
and wounded 20. The fellows about have become very frightened
of aeroplanes and if there are any Taubs about they go away up
on to the hill out of the way.